What makes up a successful career?

You can find Big Meas on Instagram and at bigmeas.com

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With 30 years of tattooing under his belt and an intimate knowledge of Japanese culture, Crez is a reference in Italy for Japanese tattooing. 

What I like about him the most, beside his expertise, is his genuine honesty and coherence, uncommon values that I personally treasure.

In this cozy December afternoon we talked about what shaped him into the man he’s today; ethics within tattooing; how to hone your skills; the necessity of critical thinking and feedback; the importance of being open to progress. 

The voice of people like Crez carries the weight of lived experiences, I hope you might find his words as inspiring as I did.

Follow Crez on Instagram

Adrenalink’s Instagram

Adrenalink YouTube channel(Italian)

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It’s been a privilege to sit down with Claudia De Sabe in this beautiful autumn afternoon to listen to her story and pick her brain on her own process. Over the course of this interview we learn how the beautiful work we all love her for is second only to her mindset. Unweavering work ethic, resolve and dedication are the foundations of her success, the same stuff greatness is made of. 

Recorded once again Live at the Kaiserstadt convention in Aachen, I’d like to personally thank Andreas Coenen for putting together my favourite show on the planet. 

Follow Claudia on Instagram

redpointtattoo.com

@red_point_tattoo

Aachen Tattoo Convention

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I’m really happy to have had the chance to chat with Swasthik, she is such a beautiful presence in the tattoo world. Known as gunga_ma, for Swasthik tattooing runs deep in her blood. Her grandma, called Paccai Kutta Ma (tattoo mama), has been sticking and poking tattoos for over 40 years. Together with the spiritual practice she inherited growing up, she has been exposed from a young age to sacred symbols and rituals that reflects into her own art.

I admire her work not only for the craftsmanship, creativity and dedication behind it but also and especially for the spirit with which she infuses it. A strong work ethic where the personal relationship with customers is a priority and gratitude is foundation on which her work stands.

In the last years she has been progressively reconnecting more with her roots, especially the warrior women of the First Nation. In her words: “The women who bless me, guide me, show me strength. In our tradition, Women are Devi, women carry life, carry pain, carry compassion and carry wisdom.”

Follow Swasthik on Instagram

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Have you ever struggled with feelings of inadequacy?

Do you set impossible standards that bring anxiety when unmet? 

Sophie is a clinical psychologist with a master’s in neuroscience, Her work with the science of habit has helped many understand the patterns of behaviour that get you in your own way. In this episode packed with practical tips, she shreds a light on how we can achieve our full potential and, especially, build a happier life.

Read more about her work at drsoph.com

Get a copy of A Manual for Being Human

Get a copy of (Un)Stuck

Follow her on Instagram

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“Influential.

“Pioneer”.

These are the words that you see most commonly associated with Marcus’ name in books, magazines and when talking to veteran tattooers.  

A great influence, Marcus started experimenting in the 90’s, with a few others, to find a new take on subject and tecnique in tattooing. And so, Newschool was born. An innovative approach to color, design, composition, light sources that shaped the generations to come. Marcus Pacheco is definitely a name that we need to know as tattooers because is thanks to people like him that today we can do certain things in a certain way.

“Go to the roots, not to the fruits” they say, let’s give credit to those who deserve it. 

To contact Marcus: [email protected]

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Lorena Morato is a Brazilian tattooer specialized in neotraditional. Well known not only for her tattoos but also her beautiful paintings, Lorena shares with us how she came to reinvent herself, rediscovering a new sense of authenticity which is well transmitted in her art.

Have you ever had problems with your neck, lower back, tingling fingers that lose sensitivity, wrist or elbow?

Especially as tattooers we all had to deal with some of these at some point and in the worst cases we have been forced to take time off due to the pain. As with many other things, knowledge is power. If we want to keep doing what we love for a long time it’s better that we know the causes of these issues and the best practices to avoid or fix them. 

Find Jordan on Instagram

Inked Ergonomics

Tattooer Health Club

Do you like to paint? Have you ever struggled with any part of the process and wish you had some sort of guidance?

This week’s episode features Kelly Anne Powers, third generation artist and host of the Learn to Paint podcast. In her show Kelly talks to some of the best painters in the world, sharing with her audience their process, systems and insights, fruit of decades of practice.

I have really enjoyed this conversation and I believe you can find value in Kelly’s words, particularly when she explains the difference between skills and style and the importance of habit over inspiration.

You can find Kelly’s podcast at Learntopaintpodcast.com and on all major platforms

Learn to paint podcast Instagram

Kelly’s Instagram

Tattoo tales Instagram

Pascal Bagot is a French journalist who’s been writing for specialized press for twenty years. His passion for Japanese culture led him to get a full backpiece by Horitoshi I and cross paths with other legends such as Horiyoshi III, Gifu Horihide, Horitada and more. 

In 2017 he decided to venture into the world of Akimitsu Takagi, a journey that will eventually take the form of a beautiful book entitled ‘The tattoo Writer’. For all of you out there, enthusiast of Japanese tattooing, those pictures are amazing.

You can find Pascal on Instagram and thetattoowriter.com

See Pascal’s photos on Instagram

House of Culture of Japan, Paris

Musée GUIMET, Paris

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